Ahmed Shehzad handed one-match ban

Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad has been handed a one-game first-class match ban and been fined 12,000 Pakistan rupees for 'showing serious dissent' at an umpire's decision during the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy tournament.

The incident occurred during the second innings of the Karachi Blues v Habib Bank Limited (HBL) match at the National Stadium in Karachi, when Asif Zakir caught Shehzad at first slip off the bowling of Tanvir Ahmed. HBL batsman Shehzad was given out by the umpire, but refused to accept the decision claiming the "catch isn't clean". The umpire, after deliberation, upheld the decision.

Shehzad responded by looking skywards in disgust, swinging his bat at the turf and shaking his head again, and continued to fume after reaching the dressing room. He had been batting on 60 on the final day, following a century in the first innings, and the game was drawn.

"Players are forbidden to show dissent at any umpires' decision," match referee, Iqbal Sheikh told ESPNCricinfo. "Shehzad is an international cricketer and, for this, he must be more responsible than any other player. You [as an international cricketer] have to set an example and help the aspiring cricketers. The whole incident was a bizarre one, we had to show him the video recording as well."

"He was given several warnings during the game for his behaviour, that was the main reason he was banned apart from the fine," Iqbal said. "And he had already committed three Level 1 offences, so this time he automatically earned the one-match ban."

Shehzad was also fined a similar amount on disciplinary grounds in Rawalpindi last month. Here, the charge was registered by on-field umpires Akbar Khan and Anis Siddiqi. Such Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of a fine of Rs 15,000, with the possibility of a ban as well depending on the upon the level of the offence.

Shehzad is currently at the No. 3 spot on the season's first-class run-scorers' table, and has enjoyed a good run in the tournament so far, with two hundreds and two fifties at an average of 53.55 in five matches. He was also fined similar amount last on disciplinary ground in Rawalpindi last month.